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Council tax summons

Hi

I got home from work today to a court summons from Sandwell council. This was because I missed two payments from October and November, I was not aware of this until early January.

I have just phoned the council and arranged a repayment plan over the next two months to clear outstanding balance.

The questions I have are:

Do I have to go to court now that a arrangement to pay has been set up?

Will I have to pay the £72 fee added to the outstanding balance?

Thanks in advance
DEBT FREE AS OF 28/6/17 :j:beer:

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do I have to go to court now that a arrangement to pay has been set up?
    No.
    Will I have to pay the £72 fee added to the outstanding balance?
    Yes, unless the council choose not to pursue it.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Thanks for your reply CIS

    If i pay the agreed amount of £254 for February and March on time (this includes the £72 in charges), are they likely to give me the charges back because they haven't had to pursue further action?

    Thanks
    DEBT FREE AS OF 28/6/17 :j:beer:
  • Buzby
    Buzby Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    No - as you are still in default, you should expect a Statutory addition (this is most likely inbuilt to the 'fee' charged. This remains payable irrespective of court action, but at least it won't increase.
  • They treat this as a penalty, a fine for missing a payment, you can find information about the fake courts they operate on council tax on Google.
    Just court rooms hired in buildings that happen to be courts where they meet people to arrange how to pay.
    I do Contracts, all day every day.
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